Page 88 of Relentless Sinner

She took care of me when I was little, too, but Jacob got her because the best was supposed to go to him. It was my father’s order. I didn’t get her until Jacob died.

Through the years she’s always been the same. Only speaking when necessary and never out of context or out of line. I expect her to be the same way with me now.

“What would you like me to do?” She studies my face.

She’s asking that question because she was the first person I informed about Gabriella’s plans to leave today.

“Just act normal. Gabriella will know I spoke to you, so no point acting like you don’t know what’s happened.” I often find that causes more problems and distrust.

“Okay, I can do that. Did you want me to go speak to her?”

“No. She needs to cool off.” I need to cool off, too. “Just let today pass and pick up in the morning.”

“Alright. What about you? Do you need to talk?”

I shake my head. It’s best I say nothing. She won’t like anything I have to tell her. In fact, I know I’ll disappoint her.

“You know she’ll want to see her cousin, right?” Eve raises a questioning brow. “And keeping her locked away in the room will make it worse.”

In all the time I’ve known her that’s the closest she’s ever come to speaking her mind. I know it’s because this is a new situation for both of us.

I’ve never kept a woman captive before and Eve is practically my accomplice.

“I need to make sure Gabriella knows where we stand.”

“I don’t believe you have to worry about that. The fact that she’s here means she knows where you stand.” She straightens and stares at me with that motherly warmth in her eyes I’ve always been fond of. “Forgive me, may I speak freely?”

As if she wasn’t already doing that. “You may.”

“As horrible as your father was and still is—may God forgive me for speaking ill of a dying man…” She pauses and makes the sign of the cross over her heart. “He cherished your mother. His marriage was never about business. I want the same for you. I think you could have that with Gabriella. But it’s up to you. It all depends on whether you want a business arrangement or awife.”

My breath stills and knots in my lungs, fighting to break free of the rage roiling inside me. I want to tell her business is business and I don’t care about having a wife when I have a multibillion-dollar empire at stake. But the words don’t come.

“I’ll figure it out, Eve,” I say, knowing that’s not really the answer she was hoping for. I just can’t think right now or see past the red waves of rage still blazing before me.

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Of course.” I dip my head and make my way to my office.

I grab a bottle of Scotch from the cabinet, pour myself a glass, then knock it back, savoring the malt taste in the back of my throat. It’s swiftly followed by a rush that gives my mind the chill I crave. The only other thing that could mellow me out is fucking.

That’s not really an option right now because the only woman I want to fuck wouldn’t want me to touch her.

Everything is so fucking messed up. And I’m a mess.

The problem here is that I’ve allowed Gabriella to get under my skin. We’re not even at the finish line yet. Things will only start moving when we take our vows and become husband and wife.

Until then I’m still flying blind.

I plop myself down in my chair, open my computer and start running through my emails.

I do that for a few hours and finish off the bottle of Scotch. I check the time and see it’s after eleven.

I’ve got to get to bed. I have an early flight in the morning.

With that in mind I shut everything down and make my way upstairs to the bedroom. The lights are turned off and I can see Gabriella’s still form on the bed.

She would appear to be asleep but she’s not. I can tell the difference no matter how realistic she may seem to be.

---